“Who is she?” “Wow!” “She is damned gorgeous!” Some of the guests whimpers, still looking at her as she walked towards us. “Alex, darling! Thank you for coming! And I must confess, you look stunning in this dress of yours!” My mom embraced her. “Thank you mom! I got this for you!” She said, handed over a boutique of red roses to her and then a box wrapped with gold color. “Wow! Thank you for the gift, honey! Everyone please meet my soon to be daughter-in-law!” My mom suddenly announced, smiling as if it was the most casual thing to say in the world. I couldn't observed the expression on her face due to the mask but I hear her sharp breath just like me and her body went stiff for a while. I watched the unreadable expression on her face slowly turning into a smile when the some of the guests rally around her. It seems someone probably asked her a sensitive question because she suddenly turned to smile at me before answering whatever questions they're asking. “You never told me ab
“Thank you, Sir! You don't look bad yourself!” She replied. “Hummm…” “Go ahead!" I said when she hesitated from saying something. “Have you been able to call Murphy? His mobile number isn't connecting any more!” “Are you that worried about him?” I asked wondering if I should be happy about this or not. “He is my very good friend, of course I will be worried about his safety!” She said as a matter of fact. “While I believe he is fine, but I haven't heard from him either. His line isn't connecting just like you rightly observed!” I said, suddenly annoyed for no reason. “If you say so! But kindly let me know whenever you can reach him!” “No problem!” I said before opening the door to a place that I haven't been to in a very long while. “Is this your…?” She turned to stare at me, looking surprised. “Yeah, it is!” I said feeling proud of my decision of bringing her here. “This is beautiful!" You must have spend a great part of your childhood here!" She said, running her elegan
“And why is that?" She interrupted , frowning her face. "Because you are the wife, and hence I won't want eyes on your reputation as well as that of my family’s?" "Oh! I get it! Well, honestly, isn't fair!” She said, but I choose to ignore it. “The fifth one, I like I said, no flirting with the opposite gender as a married woman, and don't expect any form of intimacy from me!” I said, and she breathes out softly. “I have a condition too!" "Go on please!” “I won't be working with you at the company! And can we live separately?” She asked, and I frowned at the last part. “How do you intend to make it look real to the outside world if we were to be living separately? As the wife of a famous billionaire, all eyes especially the media eyes will be on you, finding faults from all angles!” I explained, and she breathes out softly, again. “I am smarter than she is! No man will flirt with my wife even if it a contract marriage!” I said inwardly. “Do you agree to my first request th
“Welcome home, sir!” The housekeeper hurried out to welcome me.“Thank you Mrs Williams!” I said while one of the bodyguard’s opens the car door for me. “Are you going in, sir?” She asked slowly, and I turned sharply to look at her, puzzled by her question.“Is there any reason for me not to enter my own house, Mrs Williams?”“No sir! Well, sir….” She started stuttering, and I watched her moving her arms behind her back nervously.“Is there something you are not telling me, Mrs Williams?” I narrowed my eyes at her.“I……well, I……i…..” She kept on stuttering, and I became confused.“Welcome back from the party, darling!” A female voice I have come to dislike sounded. Turning slowly to the direction the voice was coming from, I saw Sofia cat-walking towards me.“Now listen to me, Mrs Williams! The next time you allow strangers into my house without my consent, consider yourself sacked immediately!” I said coldly, while she nods her head vigorously to my words.“Yes..yes, sir!”“Who is a
“I knew it! I knew it was going this direction, but not the way I envision it to be!. So, what was your reply?” She giggled happily, and I wished I never wasted my time discussing it with her. She was going to make me agreed to it in the first place! Well, not that I had a choice, though!. “Nothing yet! He give me two days to think about it!” “Listen girl! There is absolutely nothing much to think, or worry about. Consider it as a job employment were you are being paid handsomely at the end of the month!. A marriage with convenience? And just for six months?. Girl, you are in for some luck! Chances of you getting a better medical treatment for your dad is slim! Plus an avenue for you setting up your future is guaranteed! So what are you scared of?” She asked the question that have made me restless since I came back from the party. “Yes! What am I really scared of? Afraid that I might end up loving him? Or afraid that I might miss a chance with Murphy?” I questioned myself inwardly.
“Oh! That is kind of you sir!” I said, feeling relieved a little bit when he informed me of his intentions of taking over my father's medical treatment immediately. At least, my decision is not in vain. “You mean this evening? Alright! I will get prepared before then. Okay, see you later, bye sir!” Ending the call, I breathe out again. He is indeed not wasting time. Since he wants to officially introduce me to his parents before the commencement of the wedding plans, I need to start preparing myself for a gorgeous dress to wear. Taking a brief look at the quiet front view of the compound, I closed up the window and walked away. ************ CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV Waiting restlessly the second day, I gave up hope of her ever accepting my offer until I received her call. “Yes!” I did a happy fist up in the sir before pacing around the room, wondering what to do next now that she has finally accepted me. Suddenly I stopped on my track, picked up my car keys and head out of the hous
“I know it is possible for million of people to have the same eyes color, but how can they feel the same? The hidden warmth, and kindness behind the cold aura emitting from him, just like Murphy's” I thought inwardly while his eyes keeps trying draw me in, to trap me, and make me one with him. “Are you done?” He suddenly asked, and I jolt out of my thoughts. Swallowing my saliva back, I shifted uncomfortably in the seat before releasing the seat belt. “Yeah! Can we go in now?” I said, looking away from his face, feeling embarrassed. “Right after you, Milady!” He said with a soft chuckle, and I paused on my track. “Is there something you are not telling me?” I turned to look at him. “Humm…Something like what?” He asked, I saw those hints of fear in his eyes again. “I don't know! Maybe you should tell me about it!” I watched him nervously rubbing his palm against each other vigorously. “Tell you what, Alexis?” Listen dear, I am not hiding anything from you, okay! I wouldn't h
“What?” I said, deeply embarrassed with his stare. “You love it so much?” “You can say that again!” I said before chewing on the noddles with chopsticks, no longer embarrassed of his silent stares, and smug smile. He can go on watching me without eating, while I finish off everything. Murphy did informed him well about my favorite dishes. Eating more of the noddles, and pork meat, I suddenly saw something shinny inside the broth of the noddles. Curiously, i picked it up with the chopsticks. On seeing what it is, a loud gasps unconsciously escaped from my mouth. “I know it's not a proper marriage, but what is worth doing, is worth doing! Will you do me the honor of being my contract wife?” He said, already on his knees, staring intensely at my eyes, and I went mute unsure of what to say or how to respond to his crazy question. “Despite my traumatic past, yet I have always secretly hoped and dreamed about the day of being proposed to by a man that loves me. But what should I called
Meanwhile… Across the country, I sat hunched on the edge of my bed, my head pounding violently. A cold sweat drenched my skin, my entire body burning with fever.I clenched my fists, struggling to breathe. muscles ached, my vision swam, and my limbs felt unbearably heavy. My mother’s words from earlier haunted me. "Maybe she’s truly dead…my breath hitched, with chest tightening with agony. No. Alex wasn’t dead. She couldn’t be. But as my fever worsened, my mind began playing cruel tricks on me. I could hear her voice....soft, distant ...calling out to me. I could see the way she used to look at me, love shining in her eyes… before that love turned into pain. “Alex…” I rasped, gripping my temples as dizziness overtook me. Then, everything went black.*****CHRISTIAN POVI have been waiting downstairs, rushed up after hearing the loud thud from my boss's bedroom. My heart nearly stopped when I found my boss collapsed on the floor, completely unresponsive. “Shit! Boss!” With
Daniel, who had been silently watching, let out a deep breath. "She’s right, you know," he muttered. I remained still. "You should’ve treated her better," Daniel added. "You had everything, man. And now—" He shook his head. "You’re just letting yourself rot." I didn’t respond. I barely noticed when Daniel left, the villa falling into silence once again. Then, as if moving on instinct, I stumbled toward my bedroom. My feet felt heavy, my chest tight, as i entered the dark space, and headed straight for the bathroom. Without removing my clothes, i turned the shower on, stepping beneath the cold water. It hit me like a shock to the system. Memories flooded my mind. Alex’s laughter, her soft voice, the way she used to look at me when she still believed in me. Then the pain. The way her eyes darkened with betrayal. The way she flinched whenever i raised his voice. The way she walked away, leaving me with nothing but regret. A deep, strangled sob tore from my throat. I pressed my
CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV I stared at the bottom of my glass, the amber liquid barely reflecting the man I had become.A ghost!. A shell of the arrogant, ruthless businessman I once was.It had been months. Long, agonizing months since Alex disappeared. Since she left without a single trace, vanishing from my world like a cruel illusion.At first, i had been convinced i would find her. That no matter where she ran, no matter how far she tried to escape, i would track her down and bring her back.But every lead ended in nothing. Every investigator failed him.Every single day without her chipped away at my sanity, leaving me to drown in a darkness no one could pull me from."That’s enough, Chester," Daniel's voice cut through the thick silence of the Villa. In shame, I had returned back to Washington DC. My parents and some business partners laughed me to scorn. But, did I care?. Daniel, His best friend, was the only one who hadn't given up on me. And night , as usual, he stood near th
ALEXANDRIA POV The room was filled with the sharp cries of a newborn, his tiny fists clenched as he took his first breath in this world.Tears streamed down my face as the nurse gently placed him in my arms. His skin was soft, warm, and his little chest rose, and fell as he let out whimpers, adjusting to life outside the womb.I was exhausted, but nothing could dull the overwhelming love that consumed me whole.My son. I wiped my tears as I took a better look at him, and the moment my eyes landed on his face, my breath hitched.His sharp features. The familiar curve of his lips.The same gray, piercing eyes.No… it wasn’t possible.Yet, as I traced the contours of his face, there was no denying it. He looked exactly like Chester Despites my moments of Joy, a part of me shattered all over again. I had fought so hard, left everything behind, built an entirely new life to escape him.And yet, every time I looked at my son, he would be staring right back at me?."What is wrong, Alex?"
CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV I couldn’t breathe. The moment I walked into her apartment and found it empty, a deep, suffocating panic took hold of me.Alex, was gone!. There was no forwarding address. No goodbye note. Nothing. My hands trembled as I gripped the back of a chair, my entire body feeling cold, hollow, shattered. I lost her. I really lost her this time. The pain in my chest was unbearable, a sharp, twisting knife that dug deeper with every second. I had fought for her. Begged for her. Waited for her. And she still chose to leave?. A bitter, hollow laugh escaped my lips as I collapsed onto the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. For months, I had believed that if I just tried harder, if I just proved myself, she would come back to me. But now? Now, I was nothing but a miserable, broken man, still madly, crazily in love with a woman who didn’t want me anymore. I pressed my hands over my face, my chest heaving as the suffocating truth settled in. If Alex was t
And I will spend the rest of my life proving that to you, whether you let me back in or not." I swallowed, looking away. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to hold onto my anger. But then, his voice softened. "I don’t just want to be in the baby’s life, Alex. I want to be in yours." I met his gaze, my heart hammering fast like a wheel. "Say the word," he whispered. "And I’ll walk away. But if there’s even a part of you that still feels something for me—tell me, and I’ll never stop fighting for us." The weight of his words crushed me. Because the truth was… I still felt something. And I hated it. "I just need time, Chester." His expression flickered—hope, pain, frustration. But he nodded. "I’ll wait." His voice was steady, but I could see the strain in his eyes. I swallowed hard. "This isn't just about us. It’s about our child. I need to be sure." He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "I understand, Alex. Take all the time you need." And with that, he left, but not
I never thought I’d find myself in this position again—sitting across from Chester's mother. She has to come over to Manhattan. Defended me from Natasha and her endless emotional torture. This woman has always looked out for me and I am grateful for her love. I can't just ignore her call anymore. She sat before me, her posture composed as always and her eyes… they held what I have come to love her for.Genuine concern. For me. For the baby. And also, for her son. The private dining room of one of Manhattan’s most exclusive restaurants was quiet, save for the distant hum of conversation from outside. A setting fitting for a Blackwood matriarch, but I felt so much warmth sitting before her. Strangely enough, I felt at peace. I felt this feeling I had missed for some months now. And I regret putting her in the dark. I wish I didn't pushed her away when she offered to help. "Thank you for meeting me," She said, her voice cool and kind. I folded my hands in my lap. "I almost didn’t.
I stared at the screen in disbelief. Natasha stood behind a podium, her expression carefully crafted—vulnerable yet poised. "I know the world sees me as the villain," she began, her voice trembling just enough to be convincing. "But I never meant to hurt anyone." Liar. I gritted my teeth as she continued. "CEO Chester Blackwood and I have history. A deep, undeniable connection. And while I’ve made mistakes, so has he." She exhaled, her eyes glistening with fake tears. "The truth is, Chester has always come back to me. Even after Alex left, he—" I shut the laptop. I couldn’t listen anymore. I had been through enough. She was trying to break me. To make me doubt everything. But I wouldn’t let her win. Not this time. Ava stormed into my office, her phone clutched in her hand. "Boss, you need to see this." I tensed. "More headlines?" "Not just headlines." She turned the phone around. It was a live feed. Of Chester. Standing outside Natasha’s press conference. With a microph
CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV "You want me to do what?" I stared at my mother, struggling to process her words. She sighed, setting her teacup down with a clink. "I said, you need to let me speak to Alex on your behalf." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Mother—" "Chester," she interrupted firmly. "You hurt that girl in ways I can’t even begin to understand. If you truly love her, then humbling yourself isn’t a weakness. It’s a necessity." I clenched my jaw. I hated this. I hated that I had to beg for the chance to fix things. But I also knew she was right. Alex wasn’t going to fall for my persistence alone. She needed something bigger. Something genuine. I exhaled slowly. "Fine." A small smile touched my mother’s lips. "Good. I’ll arrange a meeting." But even as I agreed, a strange unease settled in my gut. Because Alex was the least of my worries right now. Natasha is back with more schemes. And if there was one thing I knew about her, it was that she never played fa